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Goh Yew Lin to lead Duke-NUS as Chairman

SINGAPORE, 2 September 2019 - The National University of Singapore (NUS) today announced the appointment of Mr Goh Yew Lin as Chairman of Duke-NUS Medical School Governing Board with effect from 1 October 2019.

Mr Goh Yew Lin, Managing Director of G.K. Goh Holdings Limited, has been Chairman-Designate of the Governing Board at Duke-NUS Medical School since 1 April 2019. He will take over from Mr Kai Nargolwala as Chairman of Duke-NUS in October 2019.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “The University is deeply appreciative of Mr Kai Nargolwala for his stellar stewardship of Duke-NUS for eight years – seven years as Chairman and one year as a member of the Governing Board.”

 

Duke-NUS Chairman-Designate: Mr Goh Yew Lin

NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye, who has worked with Mr Goh Yew Lin for many years as NUS Provost, and later President, said “Mr Goh Yew Lin has been a strong advocate for NUS and our work. Over the years, he has helped to shape the development of NUS by playing different yet important roles, including as the founding Chairman of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. We are therefore very pleased that Yew Lin is now leading Duke-NUS to play a bigger role in Singapore’s education and healthcare sectors.”  

Mr Goh was the founding Chairman of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music for 16 years from May 2002 to October 2018. His vision and advocacy to establish the Conservatory as an integral part of Singapore’s music and cultural landscape was instrumental in its dramatic growth and success. He also played an active role in securing key endowments that have been critical to Conservatory’s success and helped advance its role in nurturing musical talents. Mr Goh was a member of the NUS Board of the Trustees from April 2008 to March 2019, and chaired its Investment Committee during his tenure.

Mr Goh said, “In Mr Tony Chew and Mr Kai Nargolwala, Duke-NUS has had two truly outstanding Chairmen since its founding. They have set very high standards of dedication and leadership. Mr Nargolwala played a pivotal role in strengthening the School’s Academic Medicine partnership with SingHealth. In the years ahead, I will work with the Board and management to sustain Duke-NUS’ commitment to excellence and innovation in medical education and research.”

Said outgoing Duke-NUS Chairman Mr Nargolwala, “Through my role as Chairman of Duke-NUS’ Governing Board, I have learnt more about the complexity of medical education and research than I could have imagined. Medicine is truly a calling, and the dedication of the people in the medical and research fraternity is very impressive.”   

“As Chairman of the Duke-NUS Governing Board, Mr Nargolwala has provided a steady hand, guiding the maturation of the school from its origins as a start-up venture to an established, high quality medical school with an international reputation. His business and political acumen have greatly informed the school’s strategic development in areas ranging from recruitment to commercialisation of our research discoveries. We are very grateful for Kai’s wisdom and advice during his years as our Chairman,” said Professor Thomas Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS Medical School.

Please refer to Annex 1 for the brief biography of Mr Goh Yew Lin.